Aaliyah Dana Haughton was an American singer and actress. She has been credited with helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop, and hip hop, earning her the nicknames the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop".
Punk'd is an American hidden camera–practical joke reality television series that first aired on MTV in 2003. It was created by Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg, with Kutcher serving as producer and host. It bears a resemblance to both the classic hidden camera show Candid Camera and to TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes, which also featured pranks on celebrities. Being "punk'd" referred to being the victim of such a prank. New episodes hosted by King Bach and DeStorm Power aired on BET.
Timothy Zachery Mosley, known professionally as Timbaland, is an American record producer. He has received widespread acclaim for his innovative production work and distinctive "stuttering" rhythmic style. In 2007, Entertainment Weekly stated that "just about every current pop trend can be traced back to him—from sultry, urban-edged R&B songstresses [...] to the art of incorporating avant-garde sounds into No. 1 hits."
One in a Million is the second studio album by American singer Aaliyah. It was released on August 13, 1996, by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records.
Keshia Chanté Harper is a Canadian singer, television host, actress, songwriter, businesswoman and philanthropist. As a teenager, Chanté gained recognition with the release of her singles "Unpredictable", "Bad Boy" and "Does He Love Me" "Been Gone" "2U" and "Fallen" featuring Drake and has since released four albums. In 2013, she rose to international prominence as co-host of BET's 106 & Park with Bow Wow which launched her career as a TV Host & Television Personality. Chante is also known as Drake's first girlfriend and musical muse who he refers to as "KIKI" in his song In My Feelings.
Blackground Records 2.0 is an American record label founded and owned by Jomo and Barry Hankerson. Initially named Blackground Enterprises, the label switched its name to Blackground Entertainment then later Blackground Records in 2000. In 2021, the label rebranded as Blackground Records 2.0, reviving its company and catalogue onto streaming services, with a partnership with Empire Distribution. It co-operated with a publishing company founded by Hankerson, named Black Fountain Music.
"Try Again" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for the soundtrack to Romeo Must Die (2000). After its initial release, it appeared as a bonus track on international editions of Aaliyah's eponymous third and final studio album (2001). Written by Static Major and Timbaland, with the latter producing it, it was released to Rhythmic contemporary radio stations by Blackground and Virgin Records on March 21, 2000. Musically, it is an R&B, electro, dance-pop, and trip hop song. It also includes influences from hip hop, EDM, and acid House. The intro contains an interpolation from Eric B. & Rakim's song "I Know You Got Soul" (1987). Lyrically, the narrator (Aaliyah) encourages a potential partner not to give up when she initially rejects his advances.
American singer Aaliyah has released three studio albums, two compilation albums, and 26 singles; She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At age 10, she appeared on Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed a deal with Jive Records and Blackground Records. During that time, she met R. Kelly through her uncle Barry Hankerson; eventually, he became her mentor, sole lead songwriter, and producer for her debut album. Released in May 1994, her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, was certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold three million copies in the United States. Months after the release of her album, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records due to allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly.
"Are You That Somebody?" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack (1998). It was written by Static Major and Timbaland, with the latter producing it, in addition to performing a guest rap. It was sent to urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on May 26, 1998, by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records. Musically, it is an R&B, pop, and avant-funk song with hip hop influences. Its production also incorporates other instrumentals such as staccato guitars, beatboxing, and drum and bass. Lyrically, it is about the narrator (Aaliyah) keeping an intimate relationship a secret due to her celebrity status.
"One in a Million" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her second studio album of the same title (1996). It was written by both Missy Elliott and Timbaland with the latter producing the song. Musically, the song is both an R&B and club ballad with trip hop and drum and bass influences. Lyrically, it is about the narrator (Aaliyah) professing her love for a man whom she identifies as being her "one in a million". "One in a Million" was released as the third single from One in a Million by Blackground and Atlantic Records on November 12, 1996.
"4 Page Letter" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her second studio album, One in a Million (1996). Released as the album's fourth single by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records on April 8, 1997, it was written by both Missy Elliott and Timbaland with the latter producing it. Musically, it is an R&B ballad in which the protagonist is expressing feelings for her crush in the form of a letter.
"Rock the Boat" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her eponymous third and final studio album (2001). It was written by Static Major, Eric Seats, and Rapture Stewart, with Seats and Stewart producing it. Initially, "More Than a Woman" was expected to be the album's second single; however, "Rock the Boat" garnered heavy radio airplay prematurely, which prompted Blackground Records to make that song the second single instead. On August 21, 2001, It was officially serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio by Blackground Records and Virgin Records.
"Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her debut studio album of the same name (1994). It was written and produced by R. Kelly and is lyrically about a young girl wanting to date an older man. Containing a lyrical interpolation from the song "What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell, the "soulful" ballad opens with a guitar-piano interplay, with Aaliyah's spoken voice noting her daily diary entry. Blackground Records and Jive Records released "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" as the third single–and final single in the United States–from Age Ain't Nothing but a Number on December 6, 1994.
"Come Back in One Piece" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah, featuring a guest appearance by American rapper DMX, for the soundtrack to the 2000 film Romeo Must Die. It was written by DMX, Stephen Garrett, Irv Gotti, Rob Meys, George Clinton, Bernie Worrell and William Collins, while the production was handled by Gotti and Lil Rob. The song was released as the second single from Romeo Must Die on June 6, 2000, by Blackground Records and Virgin Records.
"We Need a Resolution" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah, featuring a guest appearance by American producer–rapper Timbaland for her eponymous third and final studio album (2001). Written by Static Major and Timbaland, with the latter producing it, it was released as the album's lead single by Blackground Records and Virgin Records on May 15, 2001. Musically, it is a "bouncing" alternative R&B, hip hop, and electro-funk song with Middle Eastern influences. Lyrically, "We Need a Resolution" speaks about a passive-aggressive relationship that has hit a rough patch in which the narrator (Aaliyah) asks for solutions while her partner dismisses her feelings.
"More Than a Woman" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her eponymous third and final studio album (2001). It was written by Static Major and Timbaland, with the latter producing it. Chosen originally, as the album's second single, Aaliyah began promoting it with televised performances on Live with Regis and Kelly and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in July 2001. However, in a turn of events, "Rock the Boat" became the second single due to premature radio support. This swift change pushed "More Than a Woman"'s release back, and it instead became the album's third single.
Courtney Michaela Jones is an American singer-songwriter and actress who performs as Coco Jones. Raised in Lebanon, Tennessee, she began auditioning in Nashville as a child to pursue a career in entertainment. She first gained attention after being featured on Radio Disney's Next Big Thing (2010–11). Jones garnered further prominence after starring in the Disney Channel film Let It Shine (2012), as well as the sitcom Good Luck Charlie (2012–13). After her departure from Disney, Jones began releasing her independent singles and EPs beginning in 2014. In 2022, Jones would sign to Def Jam Recordings and reach further success in her recording career with her single "ICU". She currently stars in the Peacock series Bel-Air. In 2023, she was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist; and has won a BET Award and an NAACP Image Award.
Amber Denise "Sevyn" Streeter is an American singer, best known for being a member of the girl groups TG4 and RichGirl where she was known as Se7en. She signed to Atlantic Records and released her debut single "I Like It" in 2012.
Tamisha Akbar Youngblood, known professionally as Tami Roman, is an American television personality, model, businesswoman and actress. She first gained fame on The Real World: Los Angeles in 1993. After making appearances and landing supporting roles in various television shows and films in the 1990s and 2000s, she became one of the breakout stars of VH1's Basketball Wives.
